Key article headlines:
- The government is considering decommissioning some of the Self-Defense Forces’ search and rescue planes and combat helicopters as part of efforts to streamline defense spending, according to government sources.
- A “scrap-and-build” approach has been mooted for defense equipment, with drones among possible replacements for the aircraft.
- An SDF drone unit is expected to be established in the near future and attack drones will be deployed.
Additional Data & Context:
- In December 2022 the Japanese gov’t released an updated National Defense Strategy with its revolutionary change in the country’s stance allowing for offensive operations.
- In parallel, a record-high defense budget was approved to supplement the required changes within the defense and security strategies.
- Thus, Japan is entering a fertile stage to introduce new UAS solutions and advanced concepts to combat the country’s updated threats with the new counter offensive stance.
ABG-SC has constructed a baseline review on Japan’s UAS strategy & potential (linked here).